TRAGIC ACCIDENT. Thirteen passengers of a van are confirmed dead after it caught fire following a head-on collision with a dump truck past 12 noon on Holy Monday (March 25, 2024) in Barangay Lohong, Antipas, Cotabato. One van passenger and the driver and two helpers of the dump truck survived the incident. (Photo courtesy of Mark Dale Montenegro)
BUTUAN CITY – A road accident past noon on Holy Monday in the Cotabato town of Antipas claimed 13 lives.
Authorities said the collision between a passenger van and a dump truck at the national highway in Barangay Lohong burned to death the victims, leaving only a lone survivor.
Police identified the survivor, a passenger of the van, as Rosario Reyes, the former barangay chairperson of Lohong.
As of 4 p.m. on Monday, seven cadavers were already identified as Nonoy Bunda, the van driver, Vence Lopez, Irish Lopez, Jenevive Vicente, Sherly Pojas, Coco Pojas, and Kimberly Shainne Armada.
The dump truck driver, identified as Edwin Dumapias Nasiad and helpers --Wilmark Josil Panoy and Gregorio Wallace Casiño-- also survived the incident, but are still under medication in a medical facility.
In a statement, the local government unit (LGU) of Antipas expressed sadness over the incident and called on residents to offer prayers to the victims.
“At this moment of distress and worry, we lift our heartfelt prayer for all those who have been involved in vehicular accidents. We beseech You to embrace and console the victims, surrounding them with Your divine love and healing grace,” it said.
The LGU said it was working to provide the necessary assistance and support to the families of the victims, most of whom are residents of the town.
Six bodies are still being identified by authorities as of posting time. (PNA)
